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New Toyota FJ Cruiser Engine Details Surface – Report

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A new report from Japan has suggested which powertrain the new Toyota FJ Cruiser will employ. Here’s what we know so far. Render of new Toyota FJ Cruiser. Image: Best Car Recently, a raft of details , including a leaked patent drawing of the exterior, of the new Toyota FJ Cruiser emerged online, with reports suggesting how large the compact Land Cruiser will likely be and possible engine options – the latter including either the Japanese automaker’s 2.7-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol unit or 2.4-litre turbodiesel, with initial reports having said the 2.8-litre turbodiesel, also employed by the outgoing eighth-generation Hilux bakkie, which we sampled in Legend 55 guise in August 2025, could be on the cards. However, now, a fresh report from Japan has said the new FJ Cruiser will be available with a single engine option. According to Creative Trend , the “baby” Land Cruiser will employ the above-mentioned 2.7-litre motor, internally known 2TR, which produces 122...
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2025 Audi S3 in SA: Price & Specs

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The updated Audi S3 Sportback and Sedan have touched down on South African shores, with the local arm of the German automaker announcing pricing for the more powerful models. Image: Audi Boasting an increase in power and torque, along with several mechanical updates, the fresh-faced Audi S3 has arrived in South Africa. Starting with the engine, the S3 now produces Mk8.5 Golf R-matching outputs of 245 kW and 420 N.m – increases of 32 kW and 20 N.m over the pre-facelifted S3. The full complement of twisting force is available in a broad 2 100-5 500 r/min swathe of the rev band and delivered to the German marque’s quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to the firm, the S tronic unit has been refined with a sharper shift pattern. Throttle response has also been optimised for improved acceleration, the automaker says. Audi claims the more powerful S3 completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds, before topping out at an electronically go...
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Toyota Land Cruiser to Gain Plug-in Hybrid?

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According to a report from Japan, there is a possibility that the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 could adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Image: Toyota Since its introduction in 2021, the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, which we sampled in December 2021, has been available with the choice of two engine options: 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel, which churns out 225 kW and 700 N.m of torque, and a 305 kW/650 N.m 3.5-litre V6 twinturbo-petrol. However, according to a report from Japan, Toyota could introduce a third powertrain to its flagship SUV. According to Creative311 , it’s been reported that there is the possibility of the Land Cruiser 300 gaining a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup, which will likely pair an electric motor with the existing 3.5-litre petrol internal combustion engine (ICE). However, the report suggests that the fitment of an electric motor and battery will impede on interior space – resulting in the original seven-seat layout being ditched for a five-seat configuration. The fuel tank w...
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Porsche Cayenne Electric Interior Revealed

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Porsche has unveiled the interior of the upcoming Cayenne Electric, which will feature several bespoke elements, including the largest-ever touchscreen fitted to a Porsche.  Image: Porsche Ahead of its global debut at the end of this year, Porsche has revealed the interior of the Cayenne Electric . The Stuttgart automaker has described the emissions-free Cayenne’s interior as an “experimental space” that combines sporty design with digital innovation. The centrepiece of the interior is the firm’s Flow Display – a curved, 14.25-inch OLED touchscreen sited at the centre of the facia. Digital instrumentation is also present, while a 14.9-inch front passenger display can be fitted at additional cost. The head-up display features augmented reality; projecting navigation arrows and lane guidance onto the driver’s view of the road. The system also features a new AI-powered voice assistant, which makes operating vehicle functions more intuitive.  Another new feature is surface ...
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Toyota SA Hands Starlet and Starlet Cross Safety Upgrades and Extended Service Plan

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Toyota South Africa Motors has handed the Starlet and Starlet Cross a round of safety updates, while introducing a new service plan to these hatchback and compact-crossover packages. Image: Toyota In a bid to reinforce the brand’s commitment to safety and value, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has handed the entry-level and mid-tier Starlet and Starlet Cross packages a round of upgrades. With the latter, Xi- and Xs-spec Starlet derivatives, along with Xs-grade Starlet Cross variants, gain side and curtain airbags (on top of the existing driver and front passenger items). In addition to the upgrade to safety, the local arm of the Japanese automaker has also extended the 45 000 km service plan that was previously included as standard. The Starlet and Starlet Cross, which we evaluated for a road test in February 2025, are now sold with a four services/60 000 km item. A three-year/100 000 km warranty is included with the purchase. 2025 Toyota Starlet Price in SA Starlet 1.5 Xi ...
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Mattel Brick Shop & Hot Wheels Unbox New Buildable Sets of Audi Icons

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In collaboration with Audi, Mattel Brick Shop and Hot Wheels have released a duo of new buildable sets, each inspired by an iconic Audi. Image: Mattel Mattel Brick Shop has released its first buildable Audi collectors’ sets. Paying homage to the iconic RS 2 Avant and R8 LMS racecar, these brick-built scale models were designed to offer enthusiasts an immersive building experience. Finished in blue, the Mattel Brick Shop Audi RS 2 Avant set comprises 253 pieces, each of which clicks together to create a 1:32-scale version of the revered original. The interior is accessed via opening doors and a removable roof. Staying true to the real-life RS 2 Avant, the brick-built replica features an RS badge on the grille. A quirky addition, the metal number plate reads ‘Hot Wagons’. Priced at $19.99 (around R340), the set also ships with two sets of OEM-licensed wheels and a die-cast model car. Image: Mattel The Audi R8 LMS debuted in 2009 and competed in multiple endurance racing events...
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New Porsche Flagship SUV to be Petrol-Powered

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Porsche has announced that their new flagship SUV, positioned above the Cayenne, will be powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). Image: Porsche Part of Porsche’s “strategic realignment” of its model roadmap, the German marque’s new flagship SUV will debut with pure petrol and electrified internal combustion engines (ICE) – the latter coming in the shape of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Indeed, despite originally designed to employ a battery-electric powertrain, Porsche has announced it will postpone the new electric-vehicle (EV) platform, with the Stuttgart automaker set to continue updating its current EV models, including the forthcoming Cayenne Electric and future all-electric 718 Cayman and Boxster models. However, Porsche will redesign the EV platform in collaboration with other brands in the Volkswagen Group. Porsche has stated that the main catalyst for prioritising ICE-powered vehicles over EVs was the slow uptake of the latter. From a financial standpoint, the compan...
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